Ray Lewis and Linebackers with the Most Interceptions in NFL History

Ray Lewis Has 31 Career Interceptions, More Than Any Linebacker in 30 Years

Ray Lewis is arguably one of the best linebackers to ever play football.

Following Lewis’ retirement announcement last week, he, Lawrence Taylor and Dick Butkus have been frequently cited as the all-time holy trinity of NFL linebackers.

No LB charged the quarterback or changed the game more than Lawrence Taylor.

“Lawrence Taylor, defensively, has had as big an impact as any player I’ve ever seen,” former Raiders coach John Madden said. “He changed the way defense is played, the way pass-rushing is played, the way linebackers play and the way offenses block linebackers.” (ESPN)

Meanwhile, Butkus was “the blueprint for the linebacker position. He was flat-out nasty, with the size and power to compete in any era.” (FOXSports)

However you tackle it, these three will forever be mentioned in any discussion of not only the greatest linebackers to play the game, but also the greatest defensive or all-around players to hit the grid.

One thing to note about Lewis that he had on the other two. He covered the field better than both of them.

Secondly, he’s one of only six linebackers in NFL history with at least 30 interceptions, and the only one after 1982, as evinced by today’s list.

Thirdly, as the Boston Herald points out, “he’s started more games at middle linebacker than anyone in NFL history and is the only member of a club having 40 sacks (41and 1⁄2) and 30 interceptions (31).”

Having watched all of these fine athletes play (with the exception of Shinnick and Huff) and being an NFL historian, I would still give the nod the Butkus as the best MLB ever, despite having his career cut short by bum knees. One can make a strong case to place Lambert ahead of Lewis as well. However Lewis is definitely in the top 3. Saying this will upset Chief fans (Lanier) and Packer fans (Nitschke). If you’re going to compare INTs of players from the 16 game season era to players from the 12 and 14 game season era, without pro-rating the stats, it’s a pointless comparison. Not to mention the NFL was 50-50 run/pass back then. Now it’s about 39-61 run/pass. Far more opportunities to accumulate sacks and INTs now as compared to then.